Amritsar, June 23 (K.L. Jit Walia):On the occasion of International Olympic Day, the renowned sports organization Sarhad-e-Punjab Sports Club (Regd.), Amritsar, under the leadership of its President Gurinder Singh Mattu, organized a simple yet impactful ceremony to honour distinguished hockey Olympian Balwinder Singh Shammi (Retired CIT, Railways) for his remarkable contribution to Indian hockey.
Speaking on the occasion, Gurinder Singh Mattu highlighted the achievements of Balwinder Singh Shammi, stating that the celebrated hockey player represented India in the 1986 Olympics in London and the 1990 Hockey World Cup in Lahore. He was also a member of the Indian team that secured runner-up positions in the 1985 and 1990 Asia Cups, and won a bronze medal at the 10th Asian Games held in South Korea in 1986.
Shammi also participated in the 1984 Junior Hockey World Cup in Canada and the 1986 Senior Hockey World Cup in England. He played a key role in helping India win the gold medal at the 1988 Pre-Olympic Hockey Tournament in Kenya. Additionally, he represented his teams in several Senior National Hockey Championships between 1985 and 1993, securing top positions.
Apart from being a player, Shammi served as a coach for the Indian Development Hockey Team and also officiated as an international hockey umpire in countries such as Russia, Singapore, and Malaysia. In 2003, he established the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy in Amritsar, where nearly 65 sub-junior, junior, and senior players continue to receive professional hockey training.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements and contribution to sports promotion, the then Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal honoured him with a State Award, including a citation, gold medal, and a cash prize of ₹11,000 during the 67th Independence Day State-Level Awards Ceremony held in Ludhiana on August 15, 2013.
On International Olympic Day, Sarhad-e-Punjab Sports Club presented a special honour to Olympian Balwinder Singh Shammi. Among those who extended their congratulations were DIG Border Range Harmanbir Singh Gill, Rajesh Sharma, Hardesh Sharma, Makhtool Singh Aulakh, international hockey player Sukhjeet Shammi, DIG Sukhminder Singh Mann, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Brigadier Harcharan Singh, sports promoter and orthopedic specialist Dr. Avtar Singh, Bikramjit Singh Kaka, Kuljit Singh Hundal, Ajinderpal Singh Sonu Mallhi, Jagrup Singh, Parsan Singh, international umpire Gurmeet Singh Meeta, Sahiljit Singh Sandhu, Kabal Singh Lali Aulakh, Kuljit Singh Baba, and members of the Punjab State Masters Veterans Players Team.
KL JIT WALIA
